Tumour enzymes and prognosis in human breast cancer

The activities of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, phosphofructokinase and α-glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase were measured in primary carcinomas from a series of 333 patients with carcinoma of the breast and the usefulness of these estimations as additional prognostic parameters was evaluated. The patients in the series were followed for up to 50 months during which time 84 patients have developed recurrent disease. Life table analyses of the results showed that the probability of remaining free from recurrence was greater in women whose carcinomas had low activities of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and phosphofructokinase and high α-glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase activity. Low ratios of α-glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase to 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase were associated with a considerably increased risk of recurrence. These findings further indicate the usefulness of such assays as an aid to prognosis.